The End Is Near For WUSF Television

Viewers of the University of South Florida-affiliated noncommercial public television station have until Oct. 15 to continue watching the programs the station airs.

Come Monday, Oct. 16, there’ll be nothing left to see: WUSF-16 in Tampa will be part of the city’s past, joining the Tampa Tribune, WLCYand “95YNF” as a new part of Tampa Bay’s media past.

WUSF Public Media will end broadcasting on WUSF-16 at the end of day on Sunday, Oct. 15, as it has relinquished the station’s spectrum in Auction 1000, the spectrum auction recently held by the FCC.

WUSF uses digital channel 34 and attracted $18.8 million in the auction.

WUSF Public Media notes that its radio broadcasts are not impacted by the closure of WUSF-16. WUSF Public Media operates WUSF-FM 89.7, the main NPR affiliate in the Tampa Bay region; and Classical WSMR-FM 89.1 in Sarasota, Fla.

What is to become of the programming found on WUSF-16?

“Our colleagues at WEDU television are planning to offer the Create and PBS Kids channels,” WUSF Public Media says. “They’re also planning to broadcast some of the programs.”

WUSF GM JoAnn Urofsky said, “Going forward, our focus will be on providing greater opportunities for USF students to engage with media and technology in the WUSF studios, and on our highly successful radio stations that are attracting record audiences. There is a clear demand for accurate news and quality entertainment, and we will continue to provide that for the community and the University of South Florida.”

Adam R Jacobson is a veteran radio industry journalist and advertising industry analyst with general, multicultural and Hispanic market expertise. From 1996 to 2006 he served as an editor at Radio & Records.